.223 and IMR4198

I found a loading for 55gr .223 that uses IMR4198. How will this powder work if I intend to reload .223 and shoot them through an AR15? How about these other powders:

H4198
H322
H335
IMR3031

Thanks.

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Walkalong

September 7, 2009, 12:53 PM

H 335

Ordered that reloading book/manual yet? :)

rcmodel

September 7, 2009, 12:56 PM

IMR4198 is too fast for any but very light bullets in the .223.

You will get better performance with any of several slower powders with 55 grain on up.

Ordered that reloading book/manual yet? :)

rc

steve4102

September 7, 2009, 01:28 PM

What loading manuals do you have, and why are you hung up on such fast powders for the 223?

45ACPUSER

September 7, 2009, 01:38 PM

Have you tried consulting Hodgdon online? I think the OP ought to really think long and hard about using search functions! And, I bet he would find a lot of useful info about appropriate powders for the AR with various bullet wts. Or he should invest in several reloading manuals.

giggitygiggity

September 7, 2009, 02:19 PM

I have consulted with Hodgdon. Those are all powders that are on Hodgdon's website for 55gr .223. However, I am more interested in actual feedback. Particularly, I would like to know how these powders would function in a .223. I was to buy the powder that is that cheapest per round. By the same token, I do not want to end up using a powder that will cause my AR to jam or misfire.

rcmodel

September 7, 2009, 02:33 PM

Hodgdon data is sorta listed from the slowest to the fastest.

Very seldom will the fastest powder listed be the best for accuracy, velocity, or safety. Pressure spikes quickly with fast powder, and even a slight over-charge can get you in trouble fast.

But you can save 1 cent a shot on powder if that's what you want to do!

Just don't shoot your eye out doing it.

rc

GooseGestapo

September 14, 2009, 10:42 AM

4198 (both) are actually quite good powders for the .223rem

I've used both I and H, and they're very similar. However, they both do have lot-to-lot variations, so each new lot should be treated as a New/different powder till you've got that lot# sorted out.

I found that with a "Bushmaster" AK-shorty, (14.5"bbl w/AK style muzzle-brake installed) that IMR4198 was the most accurate powder. I used the book published max of 21.6gr and the excellent Sierra 55gr BTSP for <MOA on demand. 23.0gr gave superior performance with the 40gr BallisticTips.

what a previous poster stated..... perhaps a $0.01 per shot savings with "faster" powders but 100-200fps lower velocities. Insignificant at under 300yds.......

ants

September 14, 2009, 12:01 PM

Friend, I've saved a penny on 223 with small quantities of fast powders and been totally unhappy with the performance. Bullets didn't hit the target as well as I liked. It wasn't worth the savings. I bought better powders (like H335 or Win 748) and stopped wasting bullets down range. The bullets are the most expensive part anyway.

IMR-3031 is a sleeper for 223 Rem. It is surprisingly accurate in 16" barrels, but it meters so poorly in all three of my powder measures that I have to measure each and every round by hand. Once again, no savings over the really good powders. Benchmark is another fast-powder sleeper, but isn't so cheap.

By the way, Win 748 often comes out the winner in load development techniques like Optimal Charge Weight. I find that Winchester powders are still reasonably priced during this difficult time. And ball powders meter sooooo nicely.

If you really want to save money and hit the target with your 55g bullets, find some Ramshot TAC.

Redneck with a 40

September 14, 2009, 08:28 PM

You want one powder that rock's in 223 from 50 grain up to 77 grain, look no further than H-4895! This stuff is the bomb-diggity in my 580 series mini-14, 2" groups at 100 yards, no joke! Its very clean burning and temp stable too. This stuff is awesome, I can also put together some very good 308 rounds with it = versatility.:D

NuJudge

September 14, 2009, 08:53 PM

In the 1970's I loaded mostly IMR 4198 for the .223 in the AR. I used 50 and 55gr bullets. I was never impressed with 4198.

The best powder I've come across for 50-55gr bullets is 748. Accurate Arms 2230 has shot decently also.

I tried H335 with 69 gr bullets right after I got a 1:9" barrel. I was not impressed with it.

No experience with the other powders you list.

Tim the student

September 15, 2009, 08:21 AM

H4198 cycles fine in my AR.

243winxb

September 16, 2009, 07:29 AM

IMR4198 works fine in m16A1, AR15, Ruger Mini 14, AR180, M70, TC contender. Savage O/U using 50 to 55gr bullets. The bullets, gun you use will determine how accurate the load is. The TC and M70 will shoot under 1" @100yds. I have shot them all.

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